FIRE HYDRANT FLUSHING

Have you ever been driving in Sandusky and noticed a City worker standing by a fire hydrant with water gushing out of it? Have you ever wondered why they're "wasting" so much water? There are good reasons for the use of this water. The workers you see flushing fire hydrants work for the Sandusky Water Department, and they are trained in sound and proven water system maintenance practices. Flushing fire hydrants is one of the most important maintenance practices that can be performed on a water distribution system. When a worker fully opens a fire hydrant for the flushing process, the following are checked and recorded: Visible and audible leaks Proper operation of valve Flushing out corrosion & rust Water pressure Turbidity testing - tests amount of dirt in water Color of the water PH test of water in main - identifies a potential problem with waterline Chlorine level before and after flushing - identifies organic contamination in line Flow of gallons per minute If ignored, corrosion and rust can cause problems such as: severe rusty water, reduced water pressure, lower chlorine level. Replacing water that has been standing in the system with fresh water is especially important in dead end main areas and low flow areas in the system. Flushing one fire hydrant may cost between $30 - $50, which includes wages, water cost and equipment. The cost of flushing fire hydrants is money well-invested. So, the next time you see a City worker flushing a hydrant, you can rest assured that they are working hard to protect the safety of the public, improve water quality and properly maintain the water distribution system.

FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING

Flow testing of fire hydrant is done in cooperation with Sandusky Fire Department to identify the amount of water a certain fire hydrant can deliver during an emergency situation. This service is done on a continuing basis so that problems can be identified and then eliminated. All hydrants will be color coded so that Fire Department personnel can identify what gallons per minute an individual fire hydrant can deliver.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Why is the water pressure low? Your water pressure may be low due to the flushing of fire hydrants, which lowers the water pressure in the area that is being tested. Why is my water discolored? Due to the fire hydrant flushing, customers could experience a temporary discoloration of water, which is due to the unsettling of rust in the water main. What should I do about the discolored water? Run the cold water for about five minutes - this should clear up the water. My clothes have been discolored from the rust, what should I do? You should clean them with a rust remover. Bottles of rust remover can be obtained from the Sandusky Customer Accounting Office located at City Hall. Is the water safe to drink? Yes. If the water would be unsafe for any reason to drink, a boil alert would be issued. If you would like further information about this topic, please feel free to contact Doug Keller, Water Services Manager at 419.627.5815.

System Flushing

Components of a Distribution System Unidirectional Flushign Program

Why you might need a flushing program Deciding when and where to flush What data will you need? How flushing works (in the field, in the office)

Aging/Decaying Pipes Causes:

Sediments and deposits (e.g. alum) Biofilm build-up Pits (water corrosivity)

Results:

Increased pumping costs Increase in pipe roughness Reduction in hydraulic capacity Reduction in effective diameter Increase in chlorine degradation rate Increase in taste and odor problems

Why You Might Need a Flushing Program

In General To Remove Impurities

In Particular Reduce o high bacterial concentrations o chemical contamination

accumulated

associated with new and repaired mains associated with complaints hazardous to the public health

turbidity Remove o tastes and odors o discolored water o accumulated sediment Respond to customer complaints Increase chlorine residuals Increase/maintain the life of mains
o

Flushing Strategies

Spot Flushing

Reactive. Most common type of flushing. Used when there are local quality complaints

Stagnant Area Flushing

Short term preventive. Used in areas with longer detention times (i.e. Dead-ends, low demand areas)

System-wide Flushing

Long term preventive. Most comprehensive form of flushing. Maintains WQ and useful life of the mains.

Flushing Methods

Conventional Flushing Unidirectional Flushing Continuous Blow-Off

Conventional Flushing

Water from all directions Low flow velocities Less scouring Don't control flushing direction

Unidirectional Flushing

Water channeled Higher flow velocities More scouring/better cleaning Systematic valve operation

Continuous Blow-off

Water "bled" at stagnant areas Low flow velocities (< 1 fps) Less scouring/poor cleaning Large quantities of water used

"Traditional" Flushing

When:

Response to water quality complaints (taste/odor, color; red, brown, other) Sanding Positive coliform (cross-connection)

How:

Go to location Open hydrant(s) and flush Basically move the problem to a new area Wait for additional complaints

Unidirectional: Deciding When and Where to Flush

When: Time

Monthly, quarterly, semiannually, yearly, etc. Seasonally, usually spring or fall for large areas Before and after main disinfection In response to complaints In response to regulatory violations (i.e., high bacterial counts or low chlorine residual) Coincides with related programs (i.e., fire hydrant testing or valve inspection programs)

Where: Location

Entire distribution system Portions of the system (i.e., older areas and/or chronic complaint areas) Mains subject to sedimentation Dead ends Areas identified by water quality monitoring records

What Data Will You Need?

Data directly related to flushing program Data indirectly related to flushing program Background information and requirements

Data Directly Related to Flushing Program

Complaint records Data for each blowoff or hydrant flushed Pressures in mains surrounding the flushing area Record of color, odor, clarity, or presence of visible objects or organisms Measurements of chlorine, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature Sample collected at the time of flushing Analyses associated with monitoring dedicated to the flushing program Maintenance records (i.e., valve, main replacements, relining mains, valve inspections, etc.) Fire hydrant testing records by water utility or fire department Record of unusually high flows (i.e., main breaks or fire fighting)

Data Indirectly Related to Flushing Program

Record condition of mains, valves and fittings removed from the system as indication of corrosion rates Record of routine monitoring program of the system for compliance

Background Information Requirements

Do:

Have a flushing plan for each area based on system maps Flush from source toward periphery Flush one small section at a time to maintain 20 psi Flush at night (reduces effect on pressures and capacity and lessens customer complaints) Keep flushing velocities in the range of 2.5 to 12 fps (lower velocities for discolored water, higher velocities for sediment removal) Know your sensitive customers (i.e., hospitals, laundries)

Do Not:

Flush a large main supplied by a single smaller main

How Flushing Works (In The Field)

Notify sensitive customers o Hospitals o Dialysis clinics o Food processing o Bottling o Specialized manufacturing Micro-chip Isolate section to be flushed from the rest of the system o Close valves slowly to prevent water hammer Open hydrant/blowoff valves slowly until the desired flow is obtained

o o o o o

Direct water away from traffic, pedestrians, underground utility vaults and private lands Confirm storm drains or natural water courses can handle the flow Prevent contaminated water from discharging to sensitive areas Dechlorination may be required Flushing water into a tanker truck may be required

Maintain 20 psi minimum around flushing area Record data When water clears, close hydrant/blowoff valve slowly Reopen valves connecting flushed section to the larger system Proceed to next section to be flushed

How Flushing Works (Program Administration)

Refinement/Redirection of Basis for Decision to Flush

Obtain information on activities affecting the flushing program Develop systems for organizing, storing, and retrieving data associated with the flushing program (i.e., paper files, spreadsheets, or databases) Use WQ records to determine when and where to flush Routinely flush dead ends and other areas associated with complaints Increase/decrease periods between flushings using time-to-clear data Flushing on a WQ basis can be determined by using WQ parameters Develop costs including labor, equipment, water use, and administration and try to assess benefits

Design Considerations When Extending the Distribution System

Locate blowoff valves at low points and dead ends to permit removal of sediment Locate hydrants, blowoffs and valves, for minimum disruption to customers Design system with enough capacity to flush for long periods without reducing firefighting capacity Make allowances for the proper disposal of flushing water

Program Champion

Equipping (Developing, purchasing, and maintaining equipment) Hiring and supervising crews Representing program to the larger water supply organization Explaining need for the program to the public (drought or conservation) Keeping public informed (Giving notice to affected areas, especially sensitive customers)

Elements of Unidirectional Flushing Program

The following elements go in a continuous cycle:

Plan Notify public Flush Track Evaluate

Staffing

Flush Program Coordinator o Water Quality Field Services Supervisor o Hydraulic Modeler/Student Intern

The Flush Program Coordinator is responsible for:

Planning Training Monitoring Data Inputs Data Analysis Purchases

Flushing Crew o Crew Leader o Utility Worker

The Flushing Crew is responsible for:

Preparation Traffic Control Set-Up Flush Dechlorination

Routining Crew o Crew Leader o Utility Worker

The Routining Crew is responsible for:

Checks all Valves Checks Lay of Land Anticipates Problems

Why Use a Hydraulic Model?

Models are extremely valuable tools for planning, engineering and ops "One size doesn't fit all" - each hydraulic system has unique characteristics, and there are different platforms available Today's software is extremely sophisticated, and user friendly, but.....

Needs high quality input data Needs technical interpretation, evaluation and engineering judgment

The "Modeling Bar is Raising"

Static models are no longer the norm Calibrated/Verified Operational model

Models Migrating to GIS Interface Distribution System Models are important tools now, but are only going to become more important

What are Benefits of Hydraulic System Modeling?

Designs are less conservative and expensive Ability to safely evaluate multiple scenarios quickly Calculations performed faster and more accurately Allows more time to focus on alternative development Better management of large complicated systems Aid to communication

Creating a Hydraulic Model

Infrastructure: All Physical Facilities in System

Develop network topology (GIS data sets, CAD drawing, other) Populate topology Input facility data Populate elevations QA/QC of developed model

Demands

Allocation - Uniform distribution, land use polygons, geocoded meter data

Calibration

Steady-state, extended period or water quality

Data Used in Hydraulic Modeling

1. PROCEDURE: A. GENERAL: i. Flushing of the water mains is done initially to remove any debris or dirt left in the pipe after installation. After installation is completed, the distribution system should be maintained by flushing . iii. Notify the Operator(s) of which water mains WILL BE flushed will Be Discharged. B. GUIDELINE: i. PREPARING A PLAN FOR ALL NETWORK WHICH DESCRIBE TOTAL HYDRANT LOCATION &SEQUENCE OF FLUSHING HYDRANTS ii. Determine which sections of the mains are to be flushed at one time, the valves to be used and the order, which the pipelines will be flushed. iv. Start at or near a source of supply and work outward into the distribution system. B. SEQUENCES: v. Assure that an adequate amount of flushing water is available at sufficiently high Pressures A minimum flushing velocity of 0.75 m/sec (1.50 m/sec preferred) or 2 2.5fps (5.0 fps preferred) should be used. One or more fire hydrants may be used For flushing so that minimum velocities can be obtained. Please see the chart Below for pipe diameter and number of hydrants required to flush effectively. vi. Isolate the section to be flushed from the rest of the system. Close the valves Slowly to prevent water hammer. vii. Open the fire hydrant or blow-off valve slowly. viii. Direct flushing water away from traffic, pedestrians and private property. Avoid Erosion damage to streets, lawns and yards by the use of tarpaulins and lead-off Discharge devices such as diffusers. Avoid flooding, which can cause traffic Problems. ix. Open hydrant fully for a period long enough (5-10 minutes) to stir up the deposits Inside the water main. Assure that the system pressures in nearby areas do not drop below 138 kPa (20 psi). x. Record all pertinent data regarding the flushing operation as well as a description

of the appearance and odour of the water flushed. xi. Collect two (2) water samples from each flowing hydrant, one in the beginning (About 2 to 3 minutes after the hydrant is opened) and the second sample when the discoloured water turns clear (just before closing the hydrant). After the flushing water becomes clear test the free chlorine residuals to ensure they are at the 0.2 mg/L range with the minimum being 0.05 mg/L and record this information on the Hydrant Maintenance Report. Slowly close the hydrant or blow-off valves. xii. After one section of pipe has been flushed, move on to the next section to be flushed and repeat the same procedures. xiii. Prepare a record of inspection and maintenance operations and any repair work to be done. (See Appendix A; Water Main Flushing Report). A record of the hydrant performance should be kept on an individual basis and records maintained in GIS. Pipe Diameter (Minimum) Required Flow Rate* No. of Hydrants Required Inches Open** Millimetres GPM L/S 4 100 100 6 1 6 150 200 13 1 8 200 400 25 1 10 250 600 38 1 12 300 900 57 2 16 400 1600 100 2

*Based on 0.75 m/s (2.5 ft/s) at 280 kPa (40 psi) pressure **Based on hydrant with one 63 mm (2 1/2 in.) outlet. Coordinate with flushing aspects of Hydrant Maintenance program.